A’s claim a minor-league pitcher, game about underway

The A’s have just claimed minor-league pitcher John Meloan, a right-hander, on waiver from Pittsburgh and assigned him to Triple-A Sacramento, which needed pitching depth after three left-handers were called up on Tuesday.

Meloan has played for four organizations this year – Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh before now. He has a combined 4.57 ERA in 41 games, including two starts. He has made big-league appearances with the Dodgers and Indians.

That fills the 40-man roster so if the A’s are to call up a third catcher at some point, they’d need to remove someone. The Phillies are still mildly following Nomar Garciaparra, with a scout at this series as well as the last. Their bench is seriously lacking and some other moves they’d contemplated fell through. So there’s still a chance Garciaparra could go.

As FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher reminds me, Garciaparra couldn’t be on the postseason roster even though the Phillies have some DL flexibility for a potential playoff roster; Garciaparra wasn’t in the organization by Aug. 31. However, maybe Garciaparra can help them down the stretch for the minimum and enjoy a little playoff share, without being eligible for the postseason.

The lineup – and the game has now started, so this is kind of late – Kennedy 3B, Davis CF, Sweeney RF, Cust DH, Powell C, Ellis 2B, Barton 1B, Pennington SS, Patterson LF.

Scott Hairston won’t play today but he might be OK for tomorrow night with that sore left quad. If he’s not ready to go Friday, the A’s will consider bringing up an outfielder from Sacramento. Might we see Travis Buck? Well, probably not, but it has been a long time.

Bobby Crosby was activated this morning and he might play some third this weekend.